As AI workloads continue to grow, data centres require faster, more efficient ways to move massive amounts of data. Traditional electrical connections are reaching their limits, driving increased adoption of optical interconnects that provide the speed, bandwidth, and energy efficiency needed for next-generation AI infrastructure.
Enlightra, a Swiss photonics company, is developing compact multi-channel laser sources based on optical frequency comb technology. Its innovative microcomb platform generates multiple precisely spaced optical wavelengths from a single laser, providing a scalable alternative to using separate lasers for every optical communication channel.
To support reliable, high-speed data transmission, each comb laser must provide the required number of channels at consistent power levels, while maintaining accurate channel spacing, low noise and high optical signal-to-noise ratio.
Enlightra’s systems are designed to generate between 8 and 32 comb lines, with channel spacing ranging from 100 to 800GHz and power-per-line exceeding 7dBm across O-band datacom and C-band telecom wavelengths. Accurately visualising and validating these closely spaced optical lines is therefore essential throughout the development process. Engineers need to measure the number of channels, line spacing, power-per-line, channel-to-channel power variation and the optical noise floor.
Because Enlightra characterises thousands of photonic chips during development, measurement speed and repeatability are critical. The company relies on Yokogawa optical spectrum analysers to rapidly capture high-resolution measurements across a broad wavelength range without compromising accuracy.
The Yokogawa AQ6370E optical spectrum analyser offers a resolution of 0.02nm, enabling clear separation of individual comb lines, while its high close-in dynamic range of more than 70dB reveals a clean noise floor between channels. These capabilities allow Enlightra’s engineers to assess line spacing, power levels, spectral flatness and optical signal-to-noise ratio across both O-band and C-band systems. Fast sweep performance also helps to maintain measurement throughput when characterising large numbers of photonic chips, while the instrument’s broad wavelength coverage and intuitive operation support efficient development and validation.
Measurement quality is equally important when Enlightra presents its technology to potential customers at exhibitions and live demonstrations. Portable field instruments previously used by the company could not always reproduce the resolution and low-noise performance available in its laboratory. Limited resolution could distort individual comb lines, reduce displayed peak-power values and obscure the true noise floor.
Using a Yokogawa optical spectrum analyser allows Enlightra to reproduce laboratory-grade measurement fidelity during customer demonstrations. The clear, high-resolution spectrum provides immediate visual evidence of comb-laser performance, without the need to explain limitations introduced by the measurement equipment.
Hanae Zegmout, Lead Photonic Designer at Enlightra, says: “In the frequency comb space, Yokogawa is the gold standard. Choosing its spectrum analysers ensures that our data is immediately trusted and recognised.” She adds: “Our experience with the two Yokogawa systems in our lab shows that these analysers are robust, hold their calibration well, and offer a seamless user experience.”
By providing accurate spectral characterisation throughout R&D and high-impact live demonstrations, Yokogawa instruments help Enlightra validate its advanced comb-laser technology and communicate its performance clearly to customers developing the next generation of AI data-centre interconnects.
Yokogawa will showcase its optical test and measurement instrumentation alongside frequency-comb laser technology at ECOC 2026. Visitors can meet the experts and explore the combined measurement and laser solutions at FYCMA in Malaga, Spain, from 21-23rd September 2026, at Booth 2157.
